ASEAN REGIONAL MINE ACTION CENTER
22
Feb
The Working Visit of H.E. Mr. Lee Jang-Keun, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to ASEAN
On the 20th of February 2024, the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC) was privileged to host His Excellency Mr. Lee Jang-Keun, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to ASEAN. Ms. Rothna Buth, ARMAC’s newly appointed Executive Director, and the ARMAC team delivered a comprehensive briefing highlighted the center’s pivotal initiatives, notably the Victim Assistance Project “Enhance Victim Assistance program in the ASEAN member states” generously funded by #ASEANKoreaCooperationFund.
The Ambassador’s recognition of ARMAC’s efforts towards supporting landmine and ERW victims, and enhancing the Victim Assistance Network, underscores the significant role of ARMAC in fostering ASEAN-Korea cooperation in humanitarian Mine Action. This collaboration is instrumental in advancing our shared objectives of safety and development within the ASEAN region.
The Republic of Korea’s continued support is invaluable, reflecting a deep commitment to humanitarian assistance and regional stability. As we acknowledge this partnership, we reaffirm our dedication to a future where the ASEAN community is free from the threats of landmines and ERW, bolstered by the solidarity and support of the Republic of Korea.
28
Jun
The Working Visit of H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN to ARMAC
A Warm Welcome H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn to ARMAC
We were honored to welcome the working visit of H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, to the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC) on 28 June 2023.
During the visit, Mr. Prum Suonpraseth, Executive Director of ARMAC gave a briefing on the work of ARMAC and a tour around the Permanent Secretariat facility. The Secretary-General expressed his appreciation to the ARMAC for their efforts in raising awareness on the dangers of Explosive Remnant of War (ERW) in the region, sharing knowledge and best practices, as well as facilitating medical and rehabilitation assistance to victims of ERW and shared his views on how functions and mandate of ARMAC can best contribute to the ASEAN Community Building.
17
Nov
International Forum on Mine Action under the theme: Challenges and Opportunity
International Forum on Mine Action under the theme: Challenges and Opportunity
ARMAC Executive Director attended International Forum on Mine Action under the theme: Challenges and Opportunity held in Baku, Azerbaijan from 15-17 November 2022. The Forum helped to build linkage between ARMAC and mine action communities in the central Asia region, and forged potential cooperation between ARMAC and Azerbaijan National Mine Action Authority (ANAMA).
11
Nov
ARMAC Executive Director Mr. Prum Suonpraseth met with his Honorable Phil Twyford
On 11 November 2022, ARMAC Executive Director Mr. Prum Suonpraseth met with his Honorable Phil Twyford, Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control of New Zealand. ARMAC ED expressed his appreciation for the technical support provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of NZ during the 2022, and requested for further support in next fiscal year 2023. The two sides also exchanged views on how to further advance the cooperation between ARMAC and Government of NZ in line with the ASEAN-NZ Plan of Action 2021-2025 and ARMAC Five-Year Strategy Plan 2023-2027.
03
Aug
Welcome a visit of the Switzerland Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, led by H.E. Kurt Kunz, Ambassador of Switzerland to Indonesia, Timor-Leste and ASEAN
Phnom Penh, 3 August 2022: The ARMAC Permanent Secretariat was pleased to welcome a visit from a delegation from the Switzerland Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, led by H.E. Kurt Kunz, Ambassador of Switzerland to Indonesia, Timor-Leste and ASEAN. During the meeting, the Executive Director of ARMAC, Mr. Prum Suonpraseth, provided an overview of ARMAC’s history and mandates, and described the outcomes from ARMAC’s recent strategy stakeholder workshops held in Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam. Mr. Prum Suonpraseth discussed mutual areas of interest between ARMAC and the Government of Switzerland, and the possibility of ARMAC collaborating with Switzerland in support of the recently published ASEAN-Switzerland Plan of Action.
01
Jul
Courtesy call on Ambassador of Switzerland to Thailand, Cambodia and Lao PDR
Bangkok, 1 July 2022
ARMAC Executive Director Mr. Prum Suonpraseth paid a courtesy call on H.E. Ms. Helene Budliger Artieda, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Switzerland to Thailand, Cambodia and Lao PDR (Residence in Bangkok) while he was on-route from attending the Intersessional Meeting of the APMBC and UN NDM 25th held in Geneva, Switzerland from 20-24 June 2022.
The official trip is meant to cement and further advance cooperation between the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center and the Swiss Federal Government as well as other international organizations and partners based in Geneva.
ARMAC ED updated the Ambassador on the progress and achievements made by ARMAC and the Strategy Plan that ARMAC is currently formulating by embarking on a wide range of consultations with AMSs and relevant partners/stakeholders in the region.
ARMAC ED thanked the Ambassador for the financial contribution made by the Swiss Government to support the operations of ARMAC Permanent Secretariat in 2022 and also exchanged views on the soon-to-be adopted ASEAN-Switzerland Plan of Action where ARMAC could play a crucial and contributing role in helping to advance ASEAN-Switzerland cooperation in area of humanitarian mine action.
16
Jun
ARMAC Welcomed Visit of the Ambassador of the Mission of the Republic of Korea to ASEAN
On 16 June, ARMAC had the pleasure of hosting His Excellency Kwon Hee-seog, the Ambassador of the Mission of the Republic of Korea (ROK) to ASEAN, and his team. They met with ARMAC Executive Director Prum Suonpraseth and the Victim Assistance Project team to provide an overview of ARMAC, and update on the government of South Korea’s funding. Through the ASEAN-ROK Cooperation Fund, the ROK has invested over $2 million for the implementation of the “Enhance Victim Assistance Programme in ASEAN Member States (AMSs)”. The initiative is three years long, running through 2023, and has five objectives: (1) promote the establishment of victim assistance network as a regional platform for various stakeholders among ASEAN; (2) assist the AMSs on the victim-assistance-related knowledge sharing, need/s and resource/s assessment and possibility of its mobilization; (3) assess the needs of the victims of ERW (mine/UXO) in the affected AMSs for further assistance; (4) assist the ASEAN Member States (AMSs) in providing psychosocial supports to the victims of ERW (mine/UXO); and (5) conduct research regarding the “ERW (Mine/UXO) Victim Assistance Inclusive Services in Cambodia,” as well as “Community Perspectives of Humanitarian ERW (Mine/UXO) Action in Laos and Viet Nam”.
ARMAC and affected AMSs are grateful for the government of South Korea’s generous support— the project and funding is an immense advantage in the development and strengthening of victim assistance across the region. The consequences of explosive remnants of war on local communities can be devastating but support from projects like the ASEAN-ROK Cooperation Fund is a significant step towards countering these impacts.
08
Jun
ARMAC Welcomed Visit of the New Zealand’s ambassador to Thailand
Phnom Penh: 08 June 2022
This afternoon ARMAC Executive Director Mr. Prum Suonpraseth and team members hosted New Zealand’s ambassador to Thailand, Mr. Jonathan Kings. The parties discussed the mission of ARMAC, past and present projects, and ARMAC’s objectives for the future. The government of New Zealand has a long history of investment in humanitarian mine action in the ASEAN region. It is currently aiding ARMAC through a 12 month project aimed at developing the capacity of staff and institutions of the mine action sector. It is also assisting with the development of ARMAC’s long term strategy. ARMAC is grateful for the government of New Zealand’s continued support and we look forward to joint initiatives we will pursue in the future to ensure the security of affected ASEAN member states.
01
Jun
Courtesy visit of new ambassador of Lao PDR
Phnom Penh: 01 June 2022
This morning ARMAC Executive Director Mr. Prum Suonpraseth and members of the ARMAC team met with the new ambassador of Lao PDR, H.E. Mr. Buakeo Phumvongsay, to discuss ARMAC and its initiatives. Ambassador Phumvongsay expressed his commitment to the mission of ARMAC and safety of his people — Laos is the most heavily bombed country per capita in history and over a third of the bombs dropped failed to explode. To this day, the country suffers tragedies from explosive remnants of war. The security and development of countries such as Laos is achievable through the collaboration of ARMAC and ASEAN member states. We look forward to working with Ambassador Phumvongsay and the Lao government to strengthen mine action capacity in the region.
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